Dogs in institutional service in Polis Mecmuası

Throughout human history, the need for security has led to the development of various laws and the establishment of law enforcement agencies to enforce them. In fulfilling their duties, security forces have utilized not only conventional tools such as firearms and vehicles but also dogs, known for their extraordinary speed, agility, and keen sense of smell. The use of dogs for security purposes dates back to ancient times and continues to this day. Especially after the 18th century, dogs began to be systematically trained for tracking and apprehending criminals. In the Ottoman Empire, with the establishment of the Turkish Police Organization, this issue gained increasing importance. Significant steps were taken during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II, including the purchase of police dogs from Europe and the dispatch of police officers abroad for specialized training. As part of the efforts to strengthen and modernize the Police Organization, Polis Mecmuası, the official publication of the Turkish Police, played a significant role. First published in 1913, Polis Mecmuası is one of the rare periodicals that has continued to be published regularly and is still in circulation today under the name "Polis Dergisi." The journal features photos of notorious criminals and thieves, fingerprints from crime scenes, and articles and illustrations about European police forces, particularly in France. It also offers valuable information on the use of dogs in institutional service. The journal emphasized how dogs were specially trained and managed for criminal tracking in Europe and how effective they were in solving cases such as theft and murder. Topics such as the selection criteria for police dogs, their training processes, operational usage, and notable cases involving police dogs in Europe were comprehensively covered. Thanks to the information published in Polis Mecmuası, the importance of police dogs was increasingly recognized by both the Turkish Police and the public, and the journal played a pioneering role in promoting their use and training practices.